Extracranial monitoring of brain activity

Abstract

Methods and systems for monitoring a subject's brain activity are provided. A method includes receiving EEG signals from the subject using a plurality of EEG electrodes positioned extracranially; and recording EEG signals using a recording circuit coupled to said EEG electrodes and contained in an enclosure implanted beneath the subject's scalp and above the subject's caldarium.

1. A method of monitoring a subject's brain activity, comprising:
 receiving EEG signals from the subject using a plurality of EEG electrodes positioned extracranially; and 
 recording EEG signals using a recording circuit coupled to said EEG electrodes and contained in an enclosure implanted beneath the subject's scalp and above the subject's caldarium. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of EEG electrodes are coupled to the recording circuit via a single connecting member. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein one side of the enclosure is convex. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein one side of the enclosure is concave. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the EEG electrodes are positioned in a subgaleal location. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the EEG electrodes are positioned in a subcutaneous location. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is positioned to beneath the pericranium. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the enclosure is positioned directly overlying the caldarium. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is positioned over an intact pericranium. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is attached to the pericranium. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is attached to the scalp. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 delivering a magnetic flux to an electromagnetic coupling element positioned in the subject's head using a power delivery unit external to the subject's head; and 
 recharging an implanted rechargeable battery by converting an electrical signal induced by the magnetic flux on the electromagnetic coupling element into electrical power using an implanted power conversion unit. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein said delivering the magnetic flux comprises delivering the magnetic flux using an electromagnetic coil positioned in close proximity to the subject's head using a coil holder. 
     
     
       14. A system for monitoring a subject's brain activity, comprising:
 a plurality of EEG electrodes configured to be implanted extracranially in the subject's head; 
 a recording circuit coupled to said EEG electrodes; and 
 an enclosure containing the recording circuit, said enclosure being configured to be implanted beneath the subject's scalp and above the subject's caldarium. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of EEG electrodes are positioned on a single connecting member coupled to the recording circuit. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , wherein one side of the enclosure is convex. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 14 , wherein one side of the enclosure is concave. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the EEG electrodes are configured to be positioned in a subgaleal location. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the EEG electrodes are configured to be positioned in a subcutaneous location. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the enclosure is configured to be positioned to beneath the pericranium. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the enclosure is configured to be positioned directly overlying the caldarium. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the enclosure is configured to be positioned over an intact pericranium. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the enclosure is configured to be attached to the pericranium. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the enclosure is configured to be attached to the scalp. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 an electromagnetic coupling element positioned in the subject's head; 
 a power delivery unit external to the subject's head for delivering a magnetic flux to the electromagnetic coupling element; 
 an implanted rechargeable battery; and 
 an implanted power conversion unit for recharging the implanted rechargeable battery by converting an electrical signal induced by the magnetic flux on the electromagnetic coupling element into electrical power. 
 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 an external electromagnetic coil for delivering the magnetic flux to the electromagnetic coupling element; and 
 a coil holder holding the external electromagnetic coil in close proximity to the subject's head using a coil holder.